Optical sheet tensioner

ABSTRACT

An assembly for enhancing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) is disclosed. The assembly comprises a housing configured to surround a backlight, an optical sheet, and an LCD. The optical sheet being located between the backlight and the LCD. The assembly further comprises a spring assembly for tensioning the optical sheet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/212,662, filed Sep. 1, 2015, which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments generally relate to backlighting assemblies with opticalsheets.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are now being used in many environmentswhich are not protected from direct sunlight, shock, or high/low ambienttemperatures.

The various layers used to construct an LCD are typically very thin, asthe thinner LCD assemblies have been more popular in the marketplace andare typically more appealing to the consumer. However, thin componentshave been difficult to form into a resulting assembly that is durableenough to withstand this particular application and all of the competingenvironmental factors, while still producing a very bright, high qualityimage that does not degrade over time.

SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments provide a spring tensioning assembly for anoptical sheet. In some embodiments the tensioning springs are providedas flat or leaf springs while in other embodiments the tensioningsprings can be traditional extension springs or torsion springs.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the followingmore detailed description of the particular embodiments, as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of an exemplary embodiment will be obtained froma reading of the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings wherein identical reference characters refer to identical partsand in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an assemblyfor back to back LCDs and showing the section line 1-1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective section view of the assembly taken from sectionline 1-1 and showing the location for detail A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective section view of detail A.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiments shown above where thetransparent protective plate and the LCD have been removed, andindicating the location for detail B.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of detail B.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of detail B.

FIGS. 7A-7D provide top plan views for various embodiments for theplacement of tensioner springs and securing posts on various perimeteredges of the optical sheet.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective sectional view of another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention showing Detail C and Detail D.

FIG. 9 is a detailed side perspective sectional view of Detail C of FIG.8, also showing Detail E.

FIG. 10 is a detailed front perspective sectional view of Detail E ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective sectional view of Detail E of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a detailed top perspective sectional view of Detail D of FIG.8, shown with the plate 300 removed.

FIG. 13 is a detailed top perspective sectional view of Detail D of FIG.8, shown with the plate 300 and the LCD 100 removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference toillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments(and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations fromthe shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, ofmanufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus,embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to theparticular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a car top assembly 401 for back to backLCDs and showing the section line 1-1. A housing 400 preferably containsand protects the components and has mounting plates 410 as well as anambient air inlet 200 and ambient air outlet 210. The housing 400 ispreferably metal but this is not required. A transparent protectiveplate 300 is used to protect the internal LCD. In an exemplaryembodiment the plate 300 would be glass and would contain at least oneanti-reflective layer or coating. In some embodiments the plate 300 maybe a single pane of tempered glass while in other embodiments the plate300 may be two pieces of anti-reflective glass laminated together withoptical adhesive.

Fans 375 may be positioned within the housing 400 to force the ambientair through the inlet 200 and outlet 210. Fans 375 could be positionedanywhere within the housing 400, but are preferably near either theinlet 200 or outlet 210. Fans 375 may be placed near both the inlet 200and outlet 210 or only near one of the two. Section line 1-1 is showncutting vertically through the assembly 401.

FIG. 2 is a perspective section view of the car top assembly taken fromsection line 1-1 and showing the location for detail A. In an exemplaryembodiment, the assembly is substantially symmetrical about a verticalcenter plane, so the assembly will be described mostly with reference toa first side, as the second side is substantially the same in apreferred embodiment. Both the first and second sides preferably containan embodiment of the LCD assembly 199. The assembly preferably containstwo paths for cooling air. The first path (open loop) is ambient airwhich is drawn through the inlet 200 and preferably forced through afirst heat exchanger 392, second heat exchanger 391, behind a firstbacklight 160, and behind a second backlight. The open loop is forced bythe fans 375 described above.

The second path (closed loop) may be used to force circulating airthrough a first heat exchanger 392, second heat exchanger 391, betweenthe protective plate 300 and a first LCD, and between a secondprotective plate and a second LCD. The circulating gas is preferablyforced through the closed loop path by fan 380, which could be placedanywhere in the path of the closed loop, but here is shown above thefirst and second heat exchangers 392 and 391.

FIG. 3 is a perspective section view of detail A. The LCD assembly 199preferably contains an LCD 100 as the outermost layer. A gap ispreferably defined between the LCD 100 and the plate 300, which mayaccept the closed loop circulating gas. The backlight 160 is preferablypositioned behind the optical sheet 130 and is preferably in conductivethermal communication with a front thermal plate 170. An optionalcorrugated layer 180 is preferably sandwiched between the front thermalplate 170 and a rear thermal plate 190. Preferably, the corrugated layer180 is in conductive thermal communication with the front thermal plate170 and rear thermal plate 190. In an exemplary embodiment, the frontthermal plate 170, rear thermal plate 190, and corrugated layer 180 areall comprised of metal and even more preferably of aluminum or stainlesssteel.

A series of channels 198 may be defined by the combination of the frontthermal plate 170, rear thermal plate 190, and corrugated layer 180. Thechannels 198 guide the open loop air and allow heat to be removed fromthe backlight 160 by transferring to the heat to the front thermal plate170, rear thermal plate 190, and corrugated layer 180. In someembodiments, the corrugate layer 180 may not be used, but the open loopair is simply forced between the front thermal plate 170 and rearthermal plate 190.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiments shown above where thetransparent protective plate 300 and the LCD 100 have been removed, andindicating the location for detail B. The optical sheet 130 is generallya thin plastic sheet which has a size and shape that is similar to thatof the LCD 100 and may be configured to diffuse or otherwise scatterlight. As further illustrated in FIG. 9, the optical sheet 130 maycomprise one or more of the following, a diffuser 512, a light diffusionfilm (LDF) 514, a dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF) 518, abrightness enhancement film (BEF) 516, a polarizer, and ananti-reflective film. These are merely exemplary, those having anordinary level of skill in the arts will recognize that any type ofoptical sheet, stack, and/or film may be used with the present inventionin any combination, the components of which may be used to diffuse,scatter, collimate, polarize, enhance, or otherwise alter the lightpassing therethrough. The optical sheet 130 preferably has fourperimeter edges, where one or more of the edges may be secured to the150, preferably by passing a post 450 from the backlight wall 150through an aperture 132 placed near the perimeter edge of the opticalsheet 130. Any number of posts 450 and corresponding apertures 132 maybe used. At least one perimeter edge of the optical sheet 130 preferablycontains one or more apertures 131 for tensioning the optical sheet 130.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of detail B. A tensioner spring 145 preferablycontains a hook 146 or similar means for attaching the tensioner spring145 to the aperture 131 in the optical sheet 130. In some embodiments,the hook 146 may be inserted directly into the aperture 131. In otherembodiments, as shown here, an intermediary element 141 passes throughthe aperture 131 and connects with the tensioner spring 145. Here, theintermediary element 141 comprises a strip of flexible material(preferably plastic or sheet metal) which passes through the aperture131 and is folded over upon itself. An aperture 142 is preferably placedon the intermediary element 141 to provide a location for the hook 146of the tensioner spring 145. In this embodiment, the aperture 142 passesthrough the intermediary element 141 twice since the intermediaryelement 141 is folded over upon itself. Preferably, the apertures 131 inthe optical sheet 130 are slots while the apertures 142 in theintermediary element 141 are round holes. However, if the hook 146 ofthe tensioner spring 145 were to connect directly with the optical sheet130, then the apertures 131 in the optical sheet 130 would preferably berounded holes.

Although shown herein with a leaf or flat spring design, the tensionerspring 145 could be any number of biasing elements including but notlimited to traditional extension springs as well as torsion springs. Inthe particular design shown, one or more posts 148 are used to create afirst portion of the tensioner spring 145 that is substantially parallelto the adjacent edge of the optical sheet 130. While posts 148 are usedhere, this could also be any surface which is substantially parallel tothe adjacent edge of the optical sheet 130 or any element to keep thefirst portion of the tensioner spring 145 substantially parallel to theadjacent edge of the optical sheet 130. Thus, in this embodiment thetensioner spring 145 contains a first portion which is substantiallyparallel to the adjacent edge of the optical sheet 130 and a secondportion which angles towards the optical sheet 130 and contains an endhaving the hook 146 (or other means for attaching to the apertures 131or 142).

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of detail B. The end of the tensionerspring 145 which is opposite the hook 146 preferably contains a hollowportion 145 which can accept a locating post 149 (which is shown here asa threaded fastener, but this is not required as any object which fitswithin the hollow portion 145 will perform adequately).

FIGS. 7A-7D provide top plan views for various embodiments for theplacement of tensioner springs 145 and securing posts 450 on variousperimeter edges of the optical sheet 130. The embodiment of FIG. 7A usessecuring posts 450 along each edge except for one edge which containsthe tensioner springs 145. The embodiment of FIG. 7B provides tensionersprings 145 along two opposing edges of the optical sheet 130 while theremaining edges contain securing posts 450. The embodiment of FIG. 7Cshows tensioner springs 145 along two adjacent perimeter edges of theoptical sheet 130 while the remaining edges (the opposite set ofadjacent perimeter edges) contain securing posts 450. The embodiment ofFIG. 7D provides tensioner springs 145 along each perimeter edge of theoptical sheet 130. It should be noted that although shown in arectangular-portrait orientation, this is not required by any of theclaims as all teachings could be applied to rectangular-landscapeorientation or displays which are square. These embodiments are merelyexemplary, any location of tensioner springs 145 and securing posts 450is contemplated.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective sectional view of another exemplaryelectronic display assembly 501 in accordance with the presentinvention. Similar to other embodiments described herein, the assemblymay comprise the housing 400, the plate 300, and an open and closed loopof gas, which may be propelled by one or more of the fans 375 positionedat various locations within the housing 400. In exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention, the open loop may be comprised of ambient air andmay travel through a series of channels 198 and a heat exchanger 393. Aclosed loop of circulating gas may travel between the LCD 100 and theplate 300, vertically along the upper and lower edges of the assembly501 and across the bottom of the housing 400. The circulating gas maytravel vertically by way of one or more pass through apertures 510.

FIG. 9 is a detailed side perspective sectional view of Detail C. Theoptical sheet 130 may comprise one or more of the following, thediffuser 512, the light diffusion film (LDF) 514, the dual brightnessenhancement film (DBEF) 518, the brightness enhancement film (BEF) 516,the polarizer, and the anti-reflective film. These are merely exemplary,those having an ordinary level of skill in the arts will recognize thatany type of optical sheet, stack, and/or film may be used with thepresent invention in any combination, the components of which may beused to diffuse, scatter, collimate, polarize, enhance, or otherwisealter the light passing therethrough

FIG. 10 is a detailed section view of Detail E, shown from a front view.The backlight wall 150 may be curved such that it contacts the backlight160 and the optical sheet 130 in an “S” type shape. In exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, the backlight wall 150 may contactthe diffuser 512, though in other exemplary embodiments the backlightwall 150 may contact other elements of the optical sheet 130. The springassembly 145 may reside in the space created by the curved shape of thebacklight wall 150, though any location is contemplated. Theintermediary element 141 may be attached to the optical sheet 130.Preferably, the intermediary element 141 may wrap around one or morelayers of the optical sheet 130.

FIG. 11 is a detailed sectional view of Detail E from a rearperspective. The intermediary element 141 may rest beneath the LCD 100.Therefore, it is desirable that the intermediary element 141 becomprised of a material of high stiffness (so as to transfer thetensioning force to the optical sheet 130), tear-resistance (so the hook146 does not enlarge, tear, or otherwise compromise the aperture 142),thin (so at to not add thickness to the assembly 501), and smooth (suchthat it does not scratch the LCD 100). In exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, the intermediary element 141 may be comprised of apolymer, a reinforced tape, or a woven material, though any material iscontemplated.

FIG. 12 is a detailed top perspective sectional view of Detail D of FIG.8, shown with the plate 300 removed. The tensioner spring 145 may bebiased such that it would normally extend substantially parallel to theedge of the backlight wall 150. The first portion of the tensionerspring 145 be retrained by the posts 148 and a second portion of thetensioner spring 145 may be manipulated upward and made to engage theintermediary element 141 such that the tensioner spring 145 creates adownward force against the intermediary element 141 and thus the opticalsheet 130.

FIG. 13 is a detailed top perspective sectional view of Detail D of FIG.8, shown with the plate 300 and the LCD 100 removed to expose theoptical sheet 130. As illustrated, the optical sheet 130 may becomprised of multiple layers such as the diffuser 512, the lightdiffusion film (LDF) 514, the dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF)518, and the brightness enhancement film (BEF) 516. The intermediaryelement 141 may wrap around and engage one or more of these layers, thusproviding a tensioning force against these layers.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention,those skilled in the art will realize that many variations andmodifications may be made to affect the described invention and still bewithin the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally, many of theelements indicated above may be altered or replaced by differentelements which will provide the same result and fall within the spiritof the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit theinvention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.

We claim:
 1. An assembly for enhancing an image displayed on a liquidcrystal display (LCD) comprising: a backlight; an optical sheet locatedbetween the backlight and the LCD; a housing configured to surround saidbacklight, said optical sheet, and said LCD; a spring assemblyconnecting said housing to said optical sheet, wherein said springassembly is configured to tension said optical sheet; and a plurality ofapertures positioned along the perimeter of said optical sheet.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein: said spring assembly comprises anintermediary element and a spring; and said intermediary element isconfigured to engage said plurality of apertures and said spring.
 3. Theassembly of claim 2 wherein: said spring is a leaf spring.
 4. Theassembly of claim 3 further comprising: a plurality of posts extendingthrough said optical sheet and engaging a first portion of the leafspring such that said first portion of said leaf spring extendssubstantially parallel to the adjacent edge of said optical sheet. 5.The assembly of claim 4 further comprising: a locating post extendingthrough said optical sheet and configured to engage an end of said leafspring.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein: said optical sheet isrectangular in shape; and at least three spring assemblies are locatedon each side of the perimeter of said optical sheet.
 7. The assembly ofclaim 1 wherein: the optical sheet comprises a brightness enhancementfilm.
 8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein: the optical sheet furthercomprises a diffuser sheet.
 9. The assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising: a plurality of apertures in said housing for accepting anddischarging ambient air therethrough; a transparent protective platewherein said protective plate comprises at least the front surface ofthe housing; a heat exchanger located in said housing; and a closed loopof circulating gas configured to travel in the space between theprotective plate and the LCD, along the top and bottom edges of saidhousing, and through the heat exchanger.
 10. The assembly of claim 9further comprising: a corrugated layer positioned behind the backlightand configured to accept the ambient air; a front thermal plate; and arear thermal plate; wherein said corrugated layer is sandwiched betweensaid front thermal plate and said rear thermal plate.
 11. The assemblyof claim 1 wherein: said optical sheet is rectangular in shape; andmultiple spring assemblies are placed along multiple walls of theperimeter of the optical sheet.
 12. An assembly for enhancing an imagedisplayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising: a backlightpanel positioned behind the LCD; a plurality of light emitting diodes(LEDs) located on the backlight panel; an optical sheet located betweenthe backlight panel and the LCD; a number of apertures positioned alongthe perimeter of said optical sheet; a housing configured to surroundsaid backlight panel, said optical sheet, and said LCD; a tensioningspring; and a plurality of intermediary elements configured to attachsaid tensioning spring to said optical sheet by way of said apertures.13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein: said tensioning spring is a leafspring; and said tensioning spring comprises a hook configured to engagesaid plurality of intermediary elements.
 14. The assembly of claim 13further comprising: at least one member extending through the opticalsheet and engaging a first portion of the tensioning spring such thatthe first portion of said tensioning spring extends substantiallyparallel to the adjacent edge of the optical sheet.
 15. The assembly ofclaim 14 further comprising: a locating post extending through saidoptical sheet and configured to engage a first end of said tensioningspring.
 16. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising: a number ofpost apertures located along the perimeter of said optical sheet; and anumber of securing posts extending through said post apertures andconnecting said optical sheet to said backlight panel.
 17. The assemblyof claim 12 wherein: the optical sheet comprises at least one opticalenhancement sheet.
 18. The assembly of claim 17 further comprising: theoptical sheet further comprises a bulk diffuser.
 19. An assembly forenhancing an image displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD)comprising: a backlight panel comprising a plurality of light emittingdiodes (LEDs) located thereon, wherein said backlight panel ispositioned behind the LCD; an optical sheet located between thebacklight panel and the LCD, said optical sheet having a number ofapertures positioned along the perimeter thereof; a housing configuredto surround said backlight panel, said optical sheet, and said LCD, saidhousing having an intake located thereon for accepting ambient air andan exhausted located thereon for the expulsion of ambient air; aplurality of leaf springs, each positioned along a perimeter wall ofsaid optical sheet; a plurality of securing members configured to extendthrough said apertures and attach said leaf spring to said opticalsheet; at least one post extending through the optical sheet andengaging a first portion of the leaf spring such that the first portionof said leaf spring extends substantially parallel to the adjacent edgeof the optical sheet; and a positioning member extending through saidoptical sheet and configured to engage a first end of said leaf spring.